Surface-enhanced Raman scattering study of the anthraquinone red pigment carminic acid

FT-Raman and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy were applied in the vibrational characterization and study of the adsorption and acidity behaviour of the highly fluorescent anthraquinone red pigment carminic acid (CA) on Ag nanoparticles prepared by chemical reduction with citrate and hydroxylamine. The SERS spectra were obtained at several pHs and excitation wavelengths and on Ag nanoparticles prepared by two different methods: chemical reduction with citrate and hydroxylamine in order to find the best experimental conditions for the vibrational study and detection of CA. Three CA forms can be identified on the metal surface, corresponding to the mono-, di- and tri-anionic CA species, whose relative intensity in the SERS spectra can markedly vary depending on the chemical properties of the offered surface and the excitation wavelength. This study could be very helpful for researchers trying to apply surface-enhanced techniques in the detection of small amounts of anthraquinone molecules, both under a cultural heritage and under a biological point of view.